Daniel Paul Potter of Chester, N.Y., dies at age 81

Daniel (Dan) Paul Potter of Chester, N.Y., died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2018, at his home in Chester. He was 81.

In hospice care for the past six months, he passed peacefully in his sleep.

Born June 21, 1936, in Rock Island, Ill., to Lawrence Wayne and Betty Jo (Boleyn) Potter, Dan spent his youth helping with the family restaurant, The Made Rite, located in Viola, Ill. After graduating from Rock Island High School, he enrolled in courses at a local college with the initial intent of pursuing a degree in engineering. During this time, he identified a love for working with his hands and later followed his brother Cecil into an apprenticeship with the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA) in 1970. He proudly remained with the union for 30 years working in tIllinois, Florida, and New York.

Dan was a substantial automobile enthusiast. He was often found in a garage tinkering-away on his latest acquisition. Some of his favorites included Corvairs, El Caminos, and Jaguars. He took a night college course at Illinois Central College in stained-glass design and construction and produced many meaningful pieces during his life including a Tiffany-style lamp. He incorporated his love of brass and copper working and created frames for his stained-glass panels. He was a member of the Hudson Highlands Photo Workshop and former member of the Quintet Photographers Capturing Life. He was an honorary member of the congregation B'nai Torah.

He was often heard singing the chorus of the song "Mellow Yellow," but it was his calm and obliging demeanor that lead his family to refer to him as "Mr. Mellow." In honor of his giving spirit and servant life style, he will be greatly missed.